Years of Challenge 1994-2000
Years of Challenge 1994-2000 If the years of 1973-84 are regarded as a time of change, then the six seasons from the association’s centenary until the beginning of the 21st Century can be described as years of turmoil. From the peak of the 1994-95 season, when the U-Bix Cup was successfully defended in six games, the performances of the representative team slowly fell away. This decline in playing success was, in a large part, due to the retirements of older experienced players and the loss of several talented players to other associations. Furthermore, in these six seasons there were four different convenors of selectors – not conducive to playing stability. At the administrative level a new constitution was adopted which created a smaller executive with specific responsibilities for each member, yet in this time there were five different chairmen and in several seasons player and club behaviour challenged the executive’s authority. Pukekura Park featured one day rather than three day matches and Rugby Park, with its powerful lights, was developed as a cricketing venue to cater for the increasingly popular day-night matches. And yet amidst all these significant changes, the association’s finances grew at an unparalleled rate and new sightscreens and wicket covers were acquired for Pukekura Park. The 1994-95 season would rank as one of the most demanding ever faced by Taranaki; twelve two-three day matches, six of which were U-Bix defences, and four one day matches. The centenary season was marked by a one day match against Wanganui, the association’s most frequent opponents – fittingly the game ended in a tie.
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